BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- It took 40 years, but Brewer can finally call itself state champion.

Sophomore Riley Northway was the catalyst, but senior Courtney Oldacre also played a vital role as the Lady Patriots broke the school’s title drought Saturday against Valley.

Brewer went out to an early lead and never waned in a 65-43 victory at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.

“They came in here with as much determination as I’ve ever seen,’’ said Lady Patriots coach Ricky Allen, who was a member of the senior class the first year the school opened in 1972-73.

After the first quarter that saw Brewer take a 16-14 edge, Allen said the Lady Patriots played the most complete game of the season offensively, defensively, inside and outside and by “controlling their nerves’’ despite the intensity of a state championship battle.

“It was sweet,’’ he said.

Northway had 23 points on the strength of 10-of-16 shooting from the field. The team shot 51.1 percent (24-of-47) and held the Lady Rams to 32 (16-of-50).

Northway also had six rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot and was named tournament Most Valuable Player.

“She just got us in bad situations a lot of times,’’ Valley coach George Grimes said. “We let her get the ball in too deep. She’s real patient, and she can pass the ball, too.

“She’s very good.’’

Oldacre had 15 points and junior Rheagan Harvel 14 for Brewer (32-3). Both joined Northway on the All-Tournament team.Audrianna Walker had 14 points for Valley (26-3).

The Lady Patriots earned a trip to the Final 48 last season and lost 65-54 in the semifinals to Fairfield.

Brewer graduated just one player from that team and used that loss as a springboard to toward tits championship run.

“Last year I was devastated,’’ Northway said, “but I think it was good for us. It was horrible at the time, but I think it helped us in coming back this year.’’

The Lady Patriots took its two-point lead into the second quarter and eased away to a 37-28 halftime advantage.

Brewer took control in the third quarter held a 52-37 advantage heading into the fourth, and were soon celebrating the first championship in school history.